BIO: Allison H. CRUM, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 275-276 __________________________________________________________ ALLISON H. CRUM, farmer, Markleysburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born near Paradise Furnace, Tod township, Huntingdon county, September 5, 1840; son of Nicholas and Minerva (Houck) Crum. His great-grandfather, Nicholas Crum, was a native of Germany and a pioneer settler in Tod township. Here he erected a log house, a barn, and in 1785 a flour-mill, one of the first mills in the county. While taking a load of flour to Baltimore he died suddenly at Columbia, Pa., and was buried there. His son, Henry Crum, was a native of Huntingdon county, and a miller. He married Miss Hannah Kelley, born near Cassville, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Their children are: Anthony, Nicholas; Washington; Ellen; Miranda; Margaret; Silas; Mahala and Catharine. Mr. Crum was an old line Whig, and a member of the Lutheran church. He died in 1830, his wife in 1827. His brother Frederick took part in the war of 1812. His second son, Nicholas Crum, was born in Tod township, Huntingdon county, in 1809, and educated in subscription schools. He became a thorough business man. For twenty-five years he was associated with Reuben Trexler, of Paradise Furnace, in the milling business. Late in life he purchased a farm of 330 acres in Tod township, on which he planted an orchard and made many improvements. Nicholas Crum was married to Miss Minerva Houck, of Union township, June 3, 1838. She was a daughter of Elijah Houck, a farmer of Scotch-Irish descent. Their children were: Mahala, who died in infancy; Allison H.; Sarah A., deceased wife of A. Plummer, of Markleysburg; Huston E., of Warrensburg, Mo.; Orbison B., of Denver, Col.; Henderson, deceased; Jackson, of Altoona; Nelson, deceased; Madison M., of North Dakota; Simpson A., of Pittsburg; Watson, of Benns Creek, Cambria county; and Ida L. Mr. Crum was an old line Whig; he helped to form the Republican party in Tod township, and served as auditor, supervisor and school director. He was a deacon and elder in the Lutheran church. He died near Grants Mill, in Mifflin county, July 23, 1878. His wife resides in Marklesburg. Allison H. Crum received his primary education in the public schools of Tod township, in a log school house with the slab benches so common in the early days, and completed his training at the Cassville Seminary. For ten years he assisted his father in the mill and then worked six years on the farm. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. Jacob Higgins and Capt. H. H. Gregg. He was discharged May 11, 1863, at the expiration of his term, and re-enlisted February 26, 1864, in Company K, Twenty-second Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Colonel Higgins and Capt. J. H. Boring; was discharged as sergeant October 31, 1865. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Maryland Heights, Snicker's Gap; Winchester, August 17, 1864: Opequan Creek, Berryville, Charlestown, where his horse was shot from under him, near Halltown; Martinsburg, August 31, 1864; Stephens' Depot, Darksville; Martinsburg again on September 18, 1864; also Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Mount Jackson, Brown Gap, Mount Vernon and Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. He was promoted to corporal June 16, 1864, and made sergeant in 1865. During his long and active service he was never sick or wounded, but was wounded in 1869 by the accidental discharge of a gun in his own hands. Allison H. Crum was married in March, 1866, to Mary M., daughter of Amos Clark, of Tod township. They had two children Arthelda Celesta, deceased; and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Crum died under touching circumstances July 31, 1868. On September 19th, 1871, Mr. Crum married, secondly, Mary J. Boyer, by whom he had six children Holly C.; Melvin B., killed by lightning in 1895 while engaged in ploughing; Eddie, deceased; Charles N., on homestead; Mabel C., deceased; and Henry H. Mr. Crum was a member of George Simpson Post, No. 44, G.A.R., of Huntingdon, and the A.P.A. Council of the same place. He is an active Republican, and was candidate for sheriff in 1895, was school director twelve years, burgess of Marklesburg one term, member of the town council four terms, and also street commissioner. He has served as deacon in the Lutheran church and has been a teacher in the Sunday-school for twenty-five years. At this writing is serving his fifth term as Sunday-school superintendent. He is corresponding secretary of the Woodcock Valley Sunday-school Association, and takes a deep interest in educational matters. Through the efforts of Mr. Crum the Matthew G. Isett Post, No. 635, G.A.R., of Marklesburg, has been organized, and to this Post Mr. Crum has since been transferred.